Self-draining faucet body

ABSTRACT

A faucet spout having interior surfaces sloping in the direction of its base so that any liquid in its interior will drain when the faucet spout is supported in a generally upstanding position with its outlet end above its base.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A faucet body such as a spout having exterior and interior surfaces formed so that the faucet body does not trap and retain liquids during the processes used to manufacture the faucet body and provide finishes on the exterior surface of the faucet body.

[0002] Modern faucet bodies, particularly those cast of base metals such as brass, etc., are coated with various finishes for both aesthetic and durability reasons. These finishes are applied by moving the faucet body sequentially through a series of baths containing the finishes which finishes are usually in liquid form. The faucet bodies are conventionally moved through each bath and on to the next bath using a conveyor apparatus. Each faucet body is suspended from the conveyor by a hook with the faucet body oriented so that its water outlet is located above its base and the body is generally supported in a generally upright position relative to its longitudinal axis.

[0003] Prior faucet bodies have trapped liquids which required hand manipulation to remove the trapped liquids. If the liquids were not removed, they many times resulted in contamination of downstream baths. The retention of liquids in the faucet bodies has been due to the interior construction of the faucet bodies. Faucet bodies are, of necessity, formed with interior partitions or septums which separate the water passage cavity from the drain plug rod cavity. These partitions, in conjunction with the exterior walls of the faucet bodies, form pockets which trap or retain liquids when the faucet bodies are supported in a generally upright orientation.

[0004] This invention is directed to a faucet body having interior partitions arranged to allow drainage of all liquids which enter the hollow interior of the body as it is moved into and out of process baths during its finishing and coating processes without the need for manual manipulation of the faucet bodies.

[0005] Another object of this invention is a faucet body having interior partitions and exterior walls that slope without obstruction to the base end of the faucet body when the faucet body is oriented in a generally upright direction relative to its longitudinal axis.

[0006] Yet another object of this invention is a faucet body having a water chamber connected to the base end of the faucet by a water inlet passage which water inlet passage is formed to permit complete drainage of liquid from the water chamber when the faucet body is in a generally upright position.

[0007] Still another object of this invention is a faucet body having a drain rod compartment which is open at its base end to permit complete drainage of liquid from the drain rod compartment when the faucet body is supported in a generally upright position.

[0008] Another object of this invention is to allow the complete drainage of metal-bearing electroplating solutions from the faucet body as it is being processed by automatic electroplating equipment, so that the solutions drain completely into their respective original process tanks. this allows for the reuse of those solutions, saving substantial chemical makeup costs.

[0009] Yet another object of this invention is that it allows for the complete drainage of metal-bearing electroplating solutions from the faucet body as it is being processed by automatic plating equipment so that the solutions drain completely into their respective original process tanks. This minimizes the transfer of those electroplating solution into subsequent processes, where they are a contaminant that must be removed. This reduces the waste treatment and process purification costs, saving substantial costs.

[0010] An additional object of this invention is that it allows for the complete drainage of metal-bearing electroplating solutions from the faucet body as it is being processed by automatic plating equipment, so that the solutions can be completely rinsed from the interior of the faucet body. This eliminates the solutions being trapped within the faucet body, where they could come in contact with the end user. This results in a safer faucet body through which to pass potable water, as the water cannot be contaminated by residual electroplating solutions.

[0011] Other objects of the invention will be found in the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a faucet body embodying the novel aspects of this invention supported in a generally upright or vertical position by a hook;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the faucet body of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section view of the faucet body of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention with the faucet body supported in a vertical position by a hook;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the faucet body of FIG. 4; and

[0018]FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the faucet body of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings shows a first form of this invention embodied in a faucet spout body 11. This body, which is cast of a base metal, usually brass, is treated during the course of its manufacturing and finishing processes in numerous baths. Some of the baths are for cleaning, some apply plating and others apply protective coatings, generally to the outside surfaces of the spout body. The spout body includes a distal or far end 13 and a base end 15. The faucet body is elongated and has a generally longitudinal axis shown by line 17.

[0020] The hollow faucet spout body includes a top wall 21 and a bottom wall 23 as are shown most clearly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A septum 25, which is an extension of the top wall 21, divides the hollow faucet spout body into a water passage compartment 27 and a plunger rod compartment 29. The plunger rod compartment has a dome 31 with a flat top wall 33. The flat top wall has a plunger rod slot 35 and a rear wall 37 completes the faucet spout body.

[0021] A recessed portion 41 of the bottom wall 23 forms a water outlet passage 43 near the distal end 13 of the faucet spout body. Threads 45 are formed around the water outlet passage to receive an aerator which is customarily installed on faucet spouts but is not shown in these drawings.

[0022] The bottom wall 23 of the faucet spout body 11 has a base end opening 49 which is shown most clearly in FIG. 2 of the drawings. A web 51 located at the base end opening connects to the septum 25, front wall 21 and rear wall 37 of the faucet spout body. A rib 53 connects the bottom wall 23 of the faucet spout body with the septum 25 while a rib 55 connects the septum to the rear wall 29 of the faucet spout body. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, a water inlet passage 57 is formed in rib 53 and a threaded plunger rod passage 59 is formed in rib 55. Later in the process of manufacturing the faucet spout body, a sleeve with exterior threads will be threaded into the threaded plunger rod passage 59, but that will be after the liquid coating processes with which this application is concerned will have been completed. A groove 61 for receiving a trim ring is formed in the base end 15 of the faucet spout body.

[0023] A tethered hook 65 supports the faucet spout body 11 during its movement between the various plating baths such as the liquid bath 67 in container 69 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Due to the shape of the exterior walls of the faucet spout body, the interior septum 25 and the provision of openings, such as opening 49, at the base end of the faucet spout body, liquid accumulated during its passage through the baths is not retained in the faucet spout body. When the body is hanging in its upright position relative to its longitudinal axis 17 as shown in the drawings, liquid will flow out of the opening 49 between the septum 25 and the rib 55. The water inlet passage 57 and the threaded plunger rod passage 59 are both inclined to drain to the exterior when the faucet spout body is held in a generally upright position as can be seen most clearly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Thus, the faucet spout body of this invention provides complete drainage of the interior compartments above the water passage chamber 27 and the plunger rod chamber 29 without interfering with any of the functions of these compartments during use of the faucet spout body while functioning as a plumbing fixture.

[0024] FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings shows a second form of this invention embodied in a faucet spout body 11. This body, which is cast of a base metal, usually brass, is treated during the course of its manufacturing and finishing processes in numerous baths. Some of the baths are for cleaning, some apply plating and others apply protective coatings, generally to the outside surfaces of the spout body. The spout body includes a distal or far end 113 and a base end 115. The faucet body is elongated and has a generally longitudinal axis shown by line 117.

[0025] The hollow faucet spout body includes a top wall 121 and a bottom wall 123 as are shown most clearly in FIG. 6 of the drawings. A septum 125, which is an extension of the top wall 121, divides the hollow faucet spout body into a water passage compartment 127 and a plunger rod compartment 129. The plunger rod compartment has a dome 131 with a flat top wall 133. The flat top wall has a plunger rod slot 135 and a rear wall 137 completes the faucet spout body.

[0026] A recessed portion 141 of the bottom wall 123 forms a water outlet passage 143 near the distal end 113 of the faucet spout body. Threads 145 are formed around the water outlet passage to receive an aerator which is customarily installed on faucet spouts but is not shown in these drawings.

[0027] The bottom wall 123 of the faucet spout body 111 has a base end opening 149 which is shown most clearly in FIG. 5 of the drawings. A web 151 located at the base end opening connect to the septum 125, front wall 121 and rear wall 137 of the faucet spout body. A rib 153 connects the bottom wall 123 of the faucet spout body with the septum 125 while a rib 155 connects the septum to the rear wall 129 of the faucet spout body. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, a water inlet passage 157 is formed in rib 153 and a threaded plunger rod passage 159 is formed in rib 155. Later in the process of manufacturing the faucet spout body, a sleeve with exterior threads will be threaded into the threaded plunger rod passage 159, but that will be after the liquid coating processes with which this application is concerned will have been completed. A groove 161 for receiving a trim ring is formed in the base end 115 of the faucet spout body.

[0028] A tethered hook 165 supports the faucet spout body 111 during its movement between the various plating baths such as the liquid bath 167 in container 169 shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Due to the shape of the exterior walls of the faucet spout body, the interior septum 125 and the provision of openings, such as opening 149, at the base end of the faucet spout body, liquid accumulated during its passage through the baths is not retained in the faucet spout body. When the body is hanging in its upright position relative to its longitudinal axis 117 as shown in the drawings, liquid will flow out of the opening 149 between the septum 125 and the rib 155. The water inlet passage 157 and the threaded plunger rod passage 159 are both inclined to drain to the exterior when the faucet spout body is held in a generally upright position as can be seen most clearly in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Thus, the faucet spout body of this invention provides complete drainage of the interior compartments above the water passage chamber 127 and the plunger rod chamber 129 without interfering with any of the functions of these compartments during use of the faucet spout body while functioning as a plumbing fixture. 

1. An elongated faucet spout having a distal end and a base end, a longitudinal axis extending generally vertically when said faucet spout is in a generally upstanding position in which said distal end is located above said base end. said faucet spout including a unitary body having a hollow interior, said unitary body including a water outlet passage at said distal end communicating with said hollow interior, a water inlet passage communicating with said hollow interior at said base end and a septum formed in said body on said base and side of said water passage, said septum dividing said hollow interior into a water compartment and a drain rod compartment, said septum inclined to drain said water compartment to said water inlet passage, said water inlet passage and said drain rod compartment inclined to said base end of said body to drain liquid when said faucet spout is positioned in a generally upstanding orientation.
 2. An elongated faucet spout body having a distal end and an open base end, said distal end located above said open base end when said body is located in a generally upstanding orientation, said spout body being formed of a unitary construction with a hollow interior defined by exterior walls, said exterior walls having exterior and interior surfaces, said interior surfaces sloped to drain liquids to said open base end of said body when said body is in a generally upstanding orientation, and 